YPO GOLD EURO CHAPTER INC
431 Maple Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218 www.wpoeurochapter.com

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Organizations Filed Purposes: To provide an association for executives who have mutual interests. To develop, promote, and exchange experiences, ideas, and business practices for the purpose of improving executive performance. To develop more efficient and effective business practices for the benefit of customers, employees, shareholders, communities, and the industries served. To visit and engage with community leaders around the world to discuss issues and problems. To gain understanding of local characteristics and offer ideas and solutions from experiences of business and community leaders in the more than 20 countries represented in the membership. To assist in economic development of areas visited by meeting locals and sharing ideas.

To provide an association for international executives who have mutual interests. To develop, promote, and exchange experiences, ideas and business practices for the purpose of improving executive performance, assisting community development and services.

Dublin, Ireland 11-14 May 2017. The event was chaired by Padraig O Ceidigh who is serving in the Irish Parliament. The event started with a Global Economic Forum wherein attendees share economic insight from the 20 or so countries usually represented at these events. This is to prepare individuals with timely information so as to discuss economic development issues with local political and business leaders as well as to inform each other about worldwide economic and investment conditions. Our first contact was Bertie Ahern, the prior Taoiseach or Prime Minister of Ireland, elected three times, who spoke about conflict resolution during the "troubles" in Ireland and expectations of other unfortunately similar issues relating to Brexit. The South Africans among us were strongly engaged due to the similarities. Mr. Ahern spent much time circulating among the group in a very candid idea exchange. The next interaction was with Richard Moore, a close counterpart of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Mr. Moore recounted his story of as a ten year old, being blinded while walking home from school by a British Soldier who fired a rubber bullet from 10 feet away. Richard did not harbor any bitterness toward the soldier who shot him and always hoped to meet him. Finally in 2006 he did so becoming friends to this day. Richard had managed to finish high school, go to university, successfully ran his own business, married, and has two children. His story of forgiveness and compassion is remarkable and an object lesson for all enduring the effects of conflict. The third principal person was Father Michael Rogers who also had a message of forgiveness from a deeply religious perspective. Evenings were spent dining and exchanging ideas with local entrepreneurs, in sharing experiences to help them but also receiving strong messages in return. It is hoped that the Irish gained as much insight into conflict resolution as did we. Please note that prior to the books and records being transferred to the US on 1 May 2017, there were significant additional and expenses related to this event. Total revenue was $96,874 and total expense was $90,351 rather than the amounts indicated.

The second event of the year was held in Chicago from September 14th to the 16th, the Chapter's first US event. It led off with the Global Investment Forum, including all members and spouses in attendance. Each person presented his / her rationale for change in any corporate investment strategy, and explained the conditions in their respective countries which occasioned the change. The focus of the event was on our communities and how we could help to make them better. Professor Michael Anania led off with a background of Chicago including the history, politics, and business conditions. Next, a panel of community leaders made presentations and engaged the audience in dialogue. The panel included Roseanna Ander the Executive Director of the Univ of Chicago Crime and Education Lab, Liz Dozier the Managing Director of Chicago Beyond a privately held organization that supports nonprofits working to improve educational outcomes for thhe most marginalized young people in Chicago, Terry Mazany the CEO of the Chicago Community Trust which distributes $150mm annually to local philanthropic activities and was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools. The Panel was moderated by Robin Robinson, the Chicago Police Department Director of Community Affairs. Everyone learned about the problems facing Chicago and the solutions being tried. Next was an extended presentation by David Axelrod, the Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and now the Director of the Univ of Chicago's Institute of Politics. Again, the presentation and discussion centered around Chicago's problems and attempts at political solutions. Another presentation was made by architect Dirk Lohan who explained to all how Chicago was and still is an architecturally strong city, how it became that and how it tries to maintain that. Many local Chicago YPO members joined in the activities and shared their perspectives with the attendees.

While the Chapter customarily has only two events per year, with an event being held in the US for the first time (Chicago), it was decided to have two consecutive events to justify the travel time for the mostly European and African membership. Thus, most of the group went from Chicago to Santa Fe, New Mexico for a second event. This event's focus was on three troubled business sectors in an attempt to both help and learn from the difficulties encountered in Santa Fe. Santa Fe had enjoyed rapid growth and a healthy economy for many years. This ended in 2008 and has not yet recovered. Many members' countries have had anemic growth since then so there was much to learn and share. Other than being the state capital, Santa Fe's economy is predicated on tourism, art, and real estate. We first addressed art with Christopher Webster as a resource. Chris presented information about the decline of the art market, particularly in the area of American Indian artifacts. Next, tourism was discussed with members of the Picauris Pueblo leadership who had built a center city hotel. Tourism difficulty was also in a session with Drew Turchin, CFO of Meow Wolf, a tourist destination developed by George RR Martin of "Game of Thrones". While the attendance at this venue far exceeded forecasts, the business reality was different. It was a fascinating discussion enabling insight into the tourism destination business with its problems. Lastly, Nat Shipman led a tour and description of the real estate market in Santa Fe. It seems that a "bubble" had developed which the locals thought was sustainable growth. Dealing with the aftermath was something that most attendees could share with experience their own countries. Lastly, since most are curious about the nuclear weapons used to end World War II, a very poignant visit was made to Los Alamos' Bradbury museum with its replicas of the bombs and attempts to explain the context. Please note that networking program fees were collected prior to the Chapter accounts being moved to the US on 1 May 2017. The actual fees were $48,400 and the expenses were $36,348

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